Ecological Zoning Based on Value–Risk in the Wuling Mountains Area of Hunan Province
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report (Previous Reviewer 3)
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe abstract is well-written, but it can be more concise. Try to summarize the key findings in fewer words. Consider including specific numerical results from the study in the abstract to give readers a quick overview.
Introduction: The introduction is informative but slightly lengthy. Consider breaking it down into subsections for better organization. Clearly state the research objectives and the significance of the study earlier in the introduction.
Literature Review: Include a brief literature review section to provide context for your study. Highlight previous research on ecological zoning, especially in developing countries.
Methodology: Clearly outline the steps in the methodology, ensuring that others could replicate your study. Provide more details on the frastats4.8 and ArcGIS10.8 methods used for the assessments.
Discussion: Explicitly discuss the implications of your findings for both policymakers and practitioners. How can the proposed ecological zoning framework inform decision-making in the context of economic development and environmental protection?
Consider addressing potential limitations or uncertainties in your methodology and suggest avenues for future research.
Conclusion: Summarize the main contributions of your study more explicitly. Reiterate the significance of your findings for informing sustainable economic development strategies.
Author Response
Please see the attachment。
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report (New Reviewer)
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis paper proposes to combine the evaluation of ecosystem service with ecological risk index. However, it is unclear in the abstract why the combination of these two evaluations are important or of interest for us. It is also unclear why Hunan Province was chosen as a case study under scrutiny of this new evaluation. In other words, can this new combination of evaluation can help to tackle the dilemma between ecological environment and economic development that we found problematic in developing countries such in China. How economic development is linked to the ecosystem service-risk assessment?
1. Can you add more reference to the four types of ecological zoning in section 3.3.5 to support your arguments? Is it possible to show these four different types in Figure 6 with different color?
2. In the section 4, the first sentence argues that this paper “……connected the value of ecosystem services, ecological risks, ecological zoning and regional economic development strategies using the disciplinary approaches of landscape ecology, economics, and management to provide a new perspective and new ideas for resolving the contradiction between ecological environmental protection and regional 491 economic development..”. However, before this section , most of the analysis only focuses on ecosystem service and risk assessment rather on economic development strategies, can you provide further info to justify this part of the argument?
3. One challenge perceived by this innovative break from traditional zoning is how to allocate power or decision making in areas now proposed to be divided by ecological zoning, not by the traditional administrative zoning?
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report (New Reviewer)
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsBased on land use data and the ecosystem service value and ecological risk index model, authors conduct ecological zoning, raised several social and economic strategies in Wuling Mountain Area in Hunan Province. This study is of practical significance to both ecological environment protection and economic development. Some comments are as follows.
The Introduction part should not include much detail information about the study (line 98 to 134). Existing studies on ecological zoning in the Introduction part should be better organized. Try to discuss this question in a more logical way.
The importance of why conduct study in study area should be better addressed. Authors should raise a more universal issue to address why conduct the study in the area. And the objectives in the Introduction part should be clearer.
The Introduction part is lack of the research gap, authors should summarize more about research gap so that to raise research questions in a better way.
The title of materials and methods should be improved. It should be noun phrases but not sentences.
The Results and Discussion part should be better organized. The title of each Results part should focus on the findings of the study. Moreover, the subpart titles of Discussion are the same or very similar to those of the Results part, which is not good. Authors should highlight the characteristics of each different section.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageThe language and format details of the manuscript should be improved. For example, in Line 602, “This study focuses on” would be a better expression. Read through the paper and correct similar issues that you find.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report (New Reviewer)
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis manuscript was one of the best-organized and well-written papers I have reviewed. Thank you for tackling this subject and taking an ecosystem approach.
Lines 106-128 could use clarification.
Describe or cite the economic theories referenced when discussing ecosystem and socioeconomic development. Whose or what theories? Lines 106-107.
The paragraph beginning on line 116 and running to 129 needs to be clarified and edited.
The statement beginning in line 124 seems inconsistent or not well stated... "clearing ecological environment can improve the well being and avoid all kinds of ecological risks" needs clarification and references.
What is meant by poor areas - line 113. It is stated better in other areas.
What definition of sustainability is being used? This term has lost meaning and credibility. The use of this term needs to be cited and clarified. Is this a scientific definition taking a biospheric approach or a subjective economic development definition? Citations are needed. The economic development approach typically lacks an understanding of system function from scientific knowledge and evidence basis. For example, one such sustainability principle is based on genetics, species, ecosystems, and functional biodiversity. Another principle is based on nutrient cycling.
Until a holistic approach to development and sustainability is understood, we will continue to lose the capacity to sustain life on Earth.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageComments included above.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report (Previous Reviewer 3)
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThank you for improving your manuscript.
This manuscript is a resubmission of an earlier submission. The following is a list of the peer review reports and author responses from that submission.
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis article should take into account the principles of strong sustainability, which it does not include in its analysis. This gives us a frame of reference on which we know how far it is possible to depredate our natural resources, while weak sustainability gives us the tools to assess in advance the impact and cost of natural resources in a given project. this makes a big difference. and the article is based on the second. Another determining aspect that it does not include is that of the socio-ecological systems and their networks, which is a substantial weakness. These two aspects must be taken into account in the article and are absent.
Author Response
Dear reviewer:
Thank you for your kind reply. Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsComments for the manuscript “Ecological Zoning Based on Value-Risk in the Wuling Mountain 2 Area of Hunan Province” by Huiqin Li et al.
The authors used tools such as Frastats 4.8 and ArcGIS 10.8 for ecosystem service value and ecological risk index. The manuscript gave a example to understand ecological zoning based on value-risk in the Wuling Mountain Region of Hunan Province.
However, there are some major comments for the authors that they should clarify in the later version. Details attached as following:
1. The abstract should have some quantitative conclusions, and some qualitative evaluations. The common sense could remove, such as the “it is crucial to understand the ecological and environmental status and the natural resource endowment of the region to formulate sustainable economic development strategies that are favorable for impoverished regions in developing countries”.
2. Introduction listed a lot of normal research cases, it should be refined and reviewed, pls do not only pasted them all in one paragraph.
3. It is a case study and without significant innovation on method and theory.
4. The text of this manuscript is very poor, the authors should check it very carefully in the future.
5. Line 38, “these approaches” means what? What are the approaches?
6. Line 42, the authors name “P. K. Aggarwal and Daniel O. Caldiz”, change to “Aggarwal and Caldiz”? Pls also mind the upper case and lower case in all the manuscript.
7. Line 118, change “hm2” to “hm2”.
8. Line 217, it is “Zijiang” or “Zishui”?
9. Line 218, “harch climate”? how harsh the climate? Cold? Hot? Or else?
10. Line 222, the GDP was 4178.15 billion for Hunan in 2020 (http://www.hunan.gov.cn/hnszf/zfsj/zfsj.html), the sub-region of Hunan could get 5431090 billion?
11. Line 498, what is the “ceiling” level? It is confusing.
12. The resloution of the figures could be higher for easy reading.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Line 38, “these approaches” means what? What are the approaches?
Line 42, the authors name “P. K. Aggarwal and Daniel O. Caldiz”, change to “Aggarwal and Caldiz”? Pls also mind the upper case and lower case in all the manuscript.
There are many similar mistakes, such as in Line 48, "NABATI J"; Line 66, "SARKER S", and so on.
Line 118, change “hm2” to “hm2”.
Line 217, it is “Zijiang” or “Zishui”?
Line 218, “harch climate”? how harsh the climate? Cold? Hot? Or else?
Author Response
Dear reviewer:
Thank you for your kind reply. Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsOverall, the article titled "Ecological Zoning Based on Value-Risk in the Wuling Mountain Area of Hunan Province" presents a valuable contribution to the understanding of ecological zoning and its application in a specific region. The article successfully combines ecological theory with economic development strategies, particularly in impoverished areas, to propose suitable management policies.
Strengths:
Clear Objective: The article sets out a clear objective to analyze the changes in land use, calculate the value of ecosystem services, assess ecological risk, and establish ecological zones in the Wuling Mountain Area of Hunan Province. The objective is well-defined and aligns with the research purpose.
Comprehensive Methodology: The article employs a two-dimensional integrated zoning framework, considering both ecosystem service value and ecological risk. The use of Frastats4.8 and ArcGIS10.8 as tools for analysis enhances the credibility of the study.
Valuable Insights: The research offers valuable insights into the spatial and temporal distribution of ecosystem service value and ecological risk in the study area over a 20-year period. It also presents a clear linkage between ecological status and economic development, making it applicable to other poor areas in developing countries.
Holistic Approach: The article emphasizes the importance of a holistic perspective of the regional ecosystem, considering both positive (ecosystem service value) and negative (ecological risk) aspects. This approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the ecological environment.
Areas for Improvement:
Clarity in Abstract: The abstract could be improved by providing more specific information about the findings and key contributions of the study. It should clearly state the main results, the significance of the research, and how it advances the existing knowledge in the field.
Introduction Section: While the article introduces the concept of ecological zoning, it could benefit from providing more context on the significance of ecological zoning in the Wuling Mountain Area, specifically its relevance to water conservation, ecological function, and ecological security in the Yangtze River Basin.
Overall, the article demonstrates strong potential and makes a valuable contribution to the field of ecological zoning and sustainable economic development strategies. By addressing the mentioned areas for improvement, the article could further enhance its impact and be of even greater value to readers and researchers in the field.
Author Response
Dear reviewer:
Thank you for your kind reply. Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe improved manuscript looks better than the former version. There are some more issues need to be considered further.
1. "The Wuling Mountain Area of Hunan Province" or "The Wuling Mountain Area in Hunan Province"? which one is better?
2. Change "water source" to "water resource" in Line 43.
3. I still think it is a case study and without significant innovation on method and theory, even though the new cover letter claimed "It provides a new analytical framework......".
4. I know the local people in Hunan called "Zijiang", but "Zishui" was used by the Hydrological Bureau of Hunan Province (http://yzt.hnswkcj.com:9090/#/) and most official maps.
5. Line 218, I would like talk once more about the “harch climate”. You know the mainland of China was controlled by the monsoon climate, and most of the land located the temperated zone. So, the gap between max. and min. air temp could reach to more than 60℃ in the northeast China, northwest China, Tibet Plateau and some other places in the northern China. The "harch climate" is not accurate, just by the 36℃ annual air temprature difference.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
The new version is fine to read.
Author Response
Dear reviewer:
Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to modify! Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 3
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsCould you pls uniform the expression about your research area firstly? The "Wuling Mountain Area of Hunan Province" appeared 18 times, and the "Wuling Montain Area in Hunan Province" appeared 4 times. There is other expression like "Wu Ling Mountains Area in Hunan Province"(Line 137).In my opinion, as the geo-maps showed, the Wuling Mountain covers Hunan Province and Guizhou Province, so "the Wuling Mountain Area in Hunan Province" may be more appropriate.
Pls re-think the reivewers' advices, and fix the manuscript very carefully, including the spelling and formatting problems.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageIt's ok.
